Dancehall, Ragga, and RnB artist Dax Vibez, whose real name is Ivan Bugembe Ssentamu, has called on fellow Ugandan musicians to unite in order to effect positive change within the industry. According to Dax Vibez, the only way for artists to make a significant impact is by forming a strong and unified front, rather than relying on government interventions that have historically yielded little progress.
Recent Developments
This call for unity comes in the wake of a recent meeting between members of the Uganda National Musicians Federation and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the State House. The meeting was intended to address some of the challenges facing the music industry in Uganda. However, Dax Vibez believes that this approach was misguided.
Dax Vibez’s Perspective
As the younger brother of renowned musician and political figure Bobi Wine, Dax Vibez has witnessed firsthand the government’s interactions with the entertainment industry. He argues that the government has often made empty promises to artists, such as the long-delayed activation of the copyright law, and that these promises have not led to tangible improvements.
He advises that the only way to bring about positive change is for artists to unite and form a solid block through which they can collectively make demands. He cautions against the creation of small, fragmented groups that primarily serve personal interests rather than the greater good of the industry.
“The industry has been on a downfall since artists started visiting the State House for cash handouts,” Dax Vibez remarks, adding that artists should recognize that the solutions to their problems are not where they are currently seeking them. He notes, “As artists, first of all, we are looked at as threats. They will do everything possible to thump us using the army, silencing us, or even censoring us. So the solution is within us; if we go there (to the government) when we are not united, we are weak. But if we create our bond, we give the entertainment industry value.”
Supporting Views
Dax Vibez is not alone in his sentiments. Fellow dancehall artist Ziza Bafana recently expressed a similar opinion, emphasizing the need for unity and collective action among musicians to address the challenges they face.
Dax Vibez’s call for unity underscores a growing frustration among Ugandan artists with the current state of the industry and the perceived ineffectiveness of government interventions. His message resonates with a broader desire for self-determination within the music community, suggesting that real progress can only be achieved through collective effort and solidarity. As more artists join the call for unity, the potential for significant change in the Ugandan music industry becomes increasingly possible.